Ghana secured a $300 million facility from the World Bank to upgrade 50 senior high schools (SHSs). President John Dramani Mahama announced this funding during the commissioning of a new PET Scan facility in Accra. The project aims to end Ghana’s Double-Track System by 2027.
This significant investment will support the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) initiative. The programme is designed to expand educational infrastructure, improve quality, and widen access to secondary education across Ghana. It directly addresses the urgent need to alleviate pressure on existing SHS facilities.
The Double-Track System was introduced to accommodate the large influx of students under the Free Senior High School policy. This system divided students into two groups, Green and Gold tracks, attending school at different times. Eliminating this system by 2027 represents a major policy shift, returning to a single academic calendar for all students. This move is expected to improve learning outcomes and provide teachers more preparation time.
President Mahama confirmed the World Bank agreement. He stated, “Government has secured a $300 million facility from the World Bank to upgrade 50 senior high schools nationwide under the title Transformative Secondary Education Transformation for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs initiative. The acronym is STARR-J.” This direct attribution from the President reinforces the financial commitment.
Under the STARR-J programme, 30 Category C SHSs will be upgraded to Category B status. Additionally, 20 Category B schools will be elevated to Category A status. This strategic investment promotes equity and broadens opportunities for students nationwide. The initiative will also revive and operationalise the community day school concept. New E-blocks will be constructed in urban and peri-urban communities. These facilities will allow children to attend school within their communities, easing pressure on boarding facilities. Decision-makers and the public will closely watch the project's implementation and its impact on class sizes and educational quality. The end of the Double-Track System is a key policy objective to enhance the efficiency of the education sector.
The continuous professional development for teachers is another vital component of the STARR-J initiative. This training will equip educators with modern teaching skills and digital competencies. Improving teacher capacity is critical for enhancing overall educational standards. The World Bank's substantial financial backing underscores the international confidence in Ghana's educational reform agenda. This investment is crucial for Ghana's long-term human capital development. It will contribute to a more skilled workforce, positively impacting economic growth. The successful execution of STARR-J will serve as a benchmark for future educational interventions in Ghana.